Giants vs Nationals predictions
If you’re keeping an eye on the San Francisco Giants, there are a few names worth watching as they try to break this pesky road slide at Nationals Park. Heliot Ramos has been swinging a seriously hot bat, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him notch a couple of hits—maybe even a long ball or two if he keeps up the power surge we’ve seen recently. Wilmer Flores also feels like a lock for run production; the way he’s been driving in runners, you can almost pencil him in for an RBI every night. On the pitching side, Landen Roupp looks set for a solid outing. If his command stays sharp, he should rack up a handful of strikeouts and keep the basepaths mostly clear, limiting any early damage from Washington’s lineup.
Washington fans hoping to see some offense have plenty of reason for optimism, too. CJ Abrams has been lighting it up at the plate lately, and with his knack for getting on base (and stealing them), he always seems to find his way into scoring position. James Wood brings the power, and his ability to take a walk or swipe a bag gives the Nationals a genuine threat in the middle of the order. Meanwhile, MacKenzie Gore on the mound looks dialed in for a decent start, likely working into the sixth inning and giving the Nats a chance if he’s painting the corners and keeping the Giants batters honest.
The matchup is about as even as it gets—both teams are sitting at .500 for home and road records, making this one tough to call. But with the Giants desperate to snap their road funk and their lineup finding ways to post runs even when the bats aren’t blazing, there’s just a little more upside in San Francisco’s dugout. Don’t count the Nationals out entirely, especially at home, but if you’re banking on which team finds that extra spark late, the Giants seem poised to finally get over the hump and take a close one in D.C. What do you think? Are you backing the road warriors or sticking with the home crew?
